The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-12-15

80 4.
revision of our tariff lays is not underesti
mated. Il will require on the part Of tn.
congress great labor ahd care. and especially
broad and national contemplation of the
subj ct, and a patriotic disregard of such
local and selfish claims as are unreasonable
and reckless OF the welfare Of the entire
country.
Under our present laws more than 4, O0C
articles are subject to duty. Many of thcce
d not in any way compete with our own
manufactures and many ar. hardly worth
attention as subj -cts of revenue. A consid-
cradle reduction C IN be made in the aggre-
gate, 10y adding them to the free list The
taxa ion of luxuries presents no fe ,tures of
hardship: but the nece>sar:es of life ed
apd consumed by all the people, tho duty
spon which adds to the cost of living in
every home, should be greatly cheapened
The raGical reduction OF the duties imposed
upon raw M terial used in manufactures, or
its free Importation, is, Of course, an i'm
portant factor in any effort to reduce the
price of these nccessarics: it would not cnly
relieve them from the increased cost caused
by the tariff on such material, but the man.
ufactured product being thus cheapened,
that p RI of the tariff now laid upon such
product, as n compensation to our manufuc-
turers for the present price of raw material,
could be accordingly modified. Such re-
duction, or free importation, would serve
beside to largely reduce the revenue 1t is
not apparent how such a change can have
any injurious effect upon our manufac-
turers. Ga the contrary, it would appear to
give them n better chance in foreign markets
with the manufacturers Of other countries,
who cheaper their wares by free material
Thus our people might have the opportunity
of extending their sales beyond the limits or
home consumption--saving them from the
depression. interruption in bu siness, AMI loss
caused by glutted domestic market. an
affording their employees more certain and
steady lator, with its resulting quiet and
contentment.
PATRIOTIC DUTY INVOLVED
The question thus imperatively presci,te,.
for solution should be approached in a spirit
higher than partisanship and considered In
the light CT that regard for patriotic duty
which should characterize the action of those
intrusted with the veal Of a coniiding reo-
pc. But the obligation to declared party
policy and principle is not wanting TO urge
prompt and effective action. B tn OF the
great political ptrties now represent d in the
government have, 10y repeated and authori-
tative declarations, condemned the condi ion
OF our laws which permit the collection from
the people OF unnecessary revenue. and b We,
IN the most solemn manner promised its cor
lection, and neither as citizens nor partiSans
are our countrymen in mood to condone
the deliberate violation Of these pied res.
NO QUESTION OF THEORIES.
Our progress toward a wise conc u>iou will
not he improv' by dwel ing upon the
theori' Of protection and free trad. This
savors too much of bandying epithets IL is
a condition which confronts uS--uot theory.
l. lief from this condition may involve a
slight reduction OF the advantages which we
award our home productions, lu the entire
withdrawal of such advantages should OF
he contemplated. The questi. n of fr e trade
is absolutely irrelevant; AMI the persistent
cla:m m III de in certain quarters, ihlt al
efforts to relieve the people from unjust and
unnecessary taxation are schemes OF so lie |
free traders, is mschievouS and far removed
from any co lsid ,ration for the public good.
The simple and plain duty which W. ow.
The p ap.e is to reiuce taxation to III neces-
sary expenses of an economical op ration of
tn, government AMI t. restore to the bu,i.
hess of the country the money which W.
ho'd in the treasury through the p,i aversion
OF governmental powers. These things can
and should be done with safety to all our
industries, without danger to the opportu-
nifty for ren,uneratiye labor which our
workingmen need, and with be Gift to them
and all our p :ople, by cheapening their m ans
OF subsistence and increasing the measure Of
their comforts
ALL OTHER QUESTIONS LAID ASIDE.
The constitution rovides that the presi-
dent "shall, from time to time, give to the
congress information Of the state of the
Union" 1t has been the custom of the ex-
ecutive, in compliance with this provision,
to annually exhibit to the congress, at the
opening OF its session, the general condition
OF the country, and to detail, with som, par
ticularity, the operations of the diff rent ex-
ecutive departments. It would be eSpeci lily
agreeable to follow this course at the present
time, and to call attention to the valuable
of these departments dur
ing the last fiscal year. Bat am so much
impressed with the paramount Importance
Of the subject to which this communication
has thus far been devoted, that / snail forego
the addition Of any other topic, and only
urge upon your immediate consideration the
state of the Union" as shown in the present
of our treasury and our general
fiscal situation, upon which every element
Of our safety and prosperity p ,nds.
The reports Of the heads of depar; mants,
which will be submitted, contain full and
explicit information touching the transaction
Of the busines, intrusted to them and such
recommendations relating to legislation in
the public interest as they deem advisable
| ask for these reports and recommendations
the deliberate examination and action of the
legislative branch of the government
There are other subjects not embraced in
the departmental reports demanding legisla,
tive consideration and which I should he
glad to submit. SOM OF them, however,
have been earnestly presented in previous
and as to them beg Lave TO re-
peat prior recommendations.
As the law makes no provision for any re-
port from the department of state, q brief
history OF the transactions of that important
4 apartment, together with other matters
which it may hereafter be deemed essential
to commend TO the attention Of congress.
may furnish the occasion for a future com
GROVER CLEVELAND
Washington, Dec. 8, 1887.
NEW York, D-c- ga RUE was adopted
at the piers OF the several steamship coin.
panies in this city by which all p-r.ons, ~x-
cept those having passes from the componies.
are denied admission to the riers Tn. ,.fFi